Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen has
claimed he is poised to complete a move to Arsenal.
With Gunner boss Arsene Wenger admitting he needs to strengthen
his defence over the summer, the Belgium international has been
tipped as a likely target.
And a switch to Emirates Stadium could be completed before the
end of the week, with the 23-year old confirming further
discussions are due to take place.
Reports suggest a fee of around £11million has been agreed for
Vermaelen, who can operate in the centre of defence or at
left-back.
Vermaelen told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad:
"Moving to Arsenal is the right path for me.
"It is a great sporting challenge and I will also be financially
better off. I think everything is going to be OK.
"In the coming days there will be more talks."
But Gunners legend Tony Adams has warned Wenger against
splashing out on Vermaelen, who stands at 5ft 11ins.
Adams fears that the Frenchman's top target lacks the height
required to dominate in the Premier League and believes he has been
playing at an inferior level.
Adams told the Daily Mirror: "Thomas is a very good
player but I don't think he's ready for the Arsenal.
"I don't think the punters at Arsenal would like another small
one.
"I have been looking at the Dutch league, but it's been
decimated. It's a poor league at the moment, there's one or two
players, but they're leaving too early as well."
skysports.
